Kerch Strait delays fears boost regional freight

Freight rates in Azov sea gain $3-4 each week with new grain coming into market and fears of delays at Kerch Strait bottleneck, caused by Kerch Bridge construction works. Owners prefer longer trips, moving their fleet from Azov region, fearing possible losses. Russian Ministry of Transport enforced Special Traffic Regime in Kerch Strait for August -September period, with planned closures of traffic in Strait from 12 to 72 hours randomly, though as of early August, factual closures last no more than 10 hours, 1-2 times a week. As a result, short leg charters, most profitable during grain season in normal conditions of uninterrupted trafficking, seem to be coming back.